refugium

[meinkfr]

I'm still quite new to this wonderful and relaxing hobby. This may be a stupid question. What is a refugium? Thanks

 

[Jolieve]

A refugium is a tank filled with macroalgae and microfauna (tiny animals) that is away from your main system. The primary purpose of a fuge is to give you a more natural means of getting the bad stuff out of your tank water and also to give a place for all that microfauna to grow. The microfauna means free food for your fish, the macroalgae means that they filter out things in your water that you don't want, like phosphates.

Also, if you put the fuge on a light cycle that is opposite of the light cycle on your main tank, it will help to stabilize the ph and the co2 levels (among other things) in your system so there are no night time/daytime swings.

I hope I didn't get too technical and that this helps you understand a little more about what a refugium is. IMO, there is no reason not to have a refugium as part of your reef system. They do all kinds of good things for you, and they do it in a natural way.

Stacy

 

[meinkfr]

Again I am new and learning new things at astronomical rate. What is all involved with setting one up? I have a 55 gal tank. 40 lbs of live rock. Open brain coral, star polyps, clean up creww of turbo snails, hermit crabs, emerald crabs and a banded shrimp, 5 green chromis, and one yellow tank in a q-tank which will get introduced at the end of next week.

 

[meinkfr]

400 emporer, seaclone protein skimmer, and one penguin powerhead in the corner making current.

 

[Jolieve]

You will need to set up a sump system and probably a hang on overflow. Doesn't sound like your tank is pre-drilled for an overflow.

Here is a great article, with lots of links at the bottom, about setting one up. This should give you a general idea of what is involved.

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Vall ... ugium.html

J.